Hull V Sunderland at The KCOM Stadium : Match Preview

05 May 2017 02:34

Hull boss Marco Silva has banned talk of goal difference ahead of his side's potentially crucial Premier League clash with already-relegated Sunderland at the KC Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers head into the game two points clear of relegation rivals Swansea but with a two-goal disparity which could yet prove crucial if the two clubs conclude their run-in sitting level on points.

But Silva is adamant his players must not get distracted by the idea that David Moyes' men could be there for the taking after their relegation was confirmed following last week's home defeat to Bournemouth.

Silva said: "We will prepare to win the game and if we win 1-0 it is good for us - I don't want anybody to think it is easy or we will get the goals, because then it is a big mistake for us.

"We need to win but we need to respect a lot the Sunderland players, and I don't permit my players to think like this.

"Everyone knows their position and where they will play next season, but this is a dangerous game for us and we have to respect them even more and go about it the right way."

Victory over the Black Cats would - temporarily at least - give Hull a five-point advantage over Paul Clement's men who do not kick off against Everton until Saturday evening.

But Silva also dismissed the suggestion that his side might hold a psychological advantage as they look to complete what would be a great escape since his arrival in January.

He added: "It's only important to win and to take the three points, and then we will see what the (Swansea) score is.

"Our home form gives confidence to our players, but this is a new game. We are more comfortable at home in front of our fans and we want to win more than our opponents.

"We want to do our best and control what it is possible to control - the game, our opponents and our players. Anything else is impossible to control."

Silva does not expect any new injury concerns, but the game will come too soon for defender Omar Elabdellaoui who has returned to training following a back problem.

Dieumerci Mbokani could come back into contention after a hamstring problem, but Ryan Mason, Moses Odubajo and Will Keane remain absent. Striker Oumar Niasse is set to start again up front.

Meanwhile, David Moyes is confident Sunderland owner Ellis Short and the club's board want him to remain as manager.

Moyes met American businessman Short and chief executive Martin Bain this week and insisted he was given no reason to fear the axe.

Instead, he appeared to suggest further discussions at the end of the campaign would be about assessing the blueprint and budget for next year's assault on the Championship, and whether they matched his expectations.

"Ellis and the board want me to stay," he said after being asked if there had been a decision on his future.

"I don't know what you mean by 'decision'. I've got a four-year contract so I don't know what you're talking about 'a decision'.

"We were deflated, I wouldn't say it was an uplifting kind of meeting. We weren't there for that, we were there to talk business. None of us were happy because we're disappointed we got relegated.

"We'll have another meeting at the end of the season. We've only put initial plans down at this present time. I know what needs to be done to get back in the Premier League, I know the requirements, but we've only had initial talks.

"I'll know more come the end of the season, once we see exactly what we're able to deal with, what we can work with, then we'll know exactly what we can do."

Sebastian Larsson is back after suspension and Jason Denayer, Lee Cattermole, Darron Gibson, Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell have all been working back to fitness, but Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore (both knee) are long-term absentees.